Hide & Seek

Playing lots of hide & seek at Ama & Ankong's house. Can you find me? Psst, look closely at the pillows :)

Merry Christmas!

Ho Ho Ho

Both kids agreed to their Santa picture without me this year!  Still searching for a smile though....

Lauren told Santa she didn't know what she wanted for Christmas this year.  Cole told us he asked Santa for 'a cat!' Go figure. We told him he should have asked Santa if he would like a cat, since we are trying hard to reduce our cat count of two, to zero.  But then Cole tried to insist we only have one....

Thanksgiving Weekend

Pie heaven, courtesy of Mom.  The kids' favorite was the apple pie, the adults' favorite was the icebox pumpkin-mousse pie, recipe from the Nov issue of Everyday Food.


Next, up with the Christmas decorations and tree.  Santa brought this Frosty train last year, and the kids were so excited to set it up.  They can literally stare at it for hours.


And Cole decided to line the tracks with snowflake ornaments...

Operation Potty

There's no turning back now... Cole was excited to put on his big boy underpants this morning (and Lauren really wanted to pose in hers as well!)  We put away all the diapers, and he said 'No more diapers for me!'  We'll see how this goes :)


Hopefully we won't have to go through the whole stash by Sunday :)

Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween!

Music Time

A few weeks ago, we purchased a piano - a 2004 Kawai upright that we found via Craig's List.  (And it turns out the seller's wife is a dental hygienist at our dentist's office - small world.)  I've played it the most so far - mostly in the evening when the kids are asleep.  However the kids have had a few turns, only once they've asked permission and have thoroughly washed their hands.  Lauren has been perfecting Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Cole has poked around on the keys a bit (and successfully managed to drop some drool onto the piano bench on more than one occasion.)

Determination

Stopped off for some dim sum at Golden Buddha last weekend after visiting the Big Bugs exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden.  The server brought Cole and Lauren a fork, but they were both determined to make the chopsticks work.


And they had my favorite dessert - custard buns.

The Purge Principle

On Friday, Lauren and I went through all her 'artwork' from this year, and purged a significant portion. It was an interesting process - and she actually did most of the sorting herself.  Look at the big recycle pile (on the right) that we came up with :)

Right Now | Sept 2011

Lauren (age 4): Afraid of bees. Hula hoop queen.  Learning to read.  Pours her own milk.  Likes puzzles and games. Will only wear dresses.

Cole (age 2):  Loves strawberries. Idolizes 'Lore-yen'.  Is into matchbox cars and Thomas trains.  Loves to wear his 'snazzy' (button down) shirts.  Wants to do everything himself.  

Sugar in the Morning

On Sundays, we usually have one 'special' breakfast item - smoothies, pancakes, etc. A few weeks ago, I was a bit tired of pancakes, so I made Lauren an offer I was sure she wouldn't refuse - waffles, chocolate waffles. Unfortunately, Cole did not partake (although he seemed perfectly content with his frozen waffle).


This week I searched for a dairy/egg-free version so Cole could enjoy too, and found this recipe for Chocolate Banana Vegan Waffles - which uses a banana, olive oil, dairy-free milk, whole wheat flour, and a little maple syrup and brown sugar.  I made a few modifications (used vanilla soy milk, doubled the cocoa powder, and reduced the amount of olive oil slightly), and it turned out quite well.  Next time I'll probably double the recipe (so there are plenty of seconds!).

Drink Up

I've been wanting to make sangria ever since seeing the spread in a recent issue of Everyday Food. Used this raspberry-mango sangria recipe, but with a few substitutions - used sliced oranges and strawberries for the fruit, and triple-sec in place of the raspberry liquor. It was the perfect accompaniment to our Labor Day meal of grilled burgers, corn, and potato salad. The kids even got their own alcohol-free version.

The Routine

After tucking Lauren in at night, while I stand at her bedroom door, we often have a conversation that goes something like this...

L: Mommy, do you have a meeting tonight?
Me: No.
L: Does Daddy have a meeting?
Me: No.
L: Are you going out tonight [to workout at the Y]?
Me: No.
L: Is Daddy going out?
Me: Yes, probably.
L: Can you tell Daddy that if the cats are meowing to please tell them not to meow? Because I need to focus on going to sleep. Can you tell him?
Me: Yes, I'll tell him. Good night, Lauren.
L: Good night, Mommy.

Sometimes she also asks which room I'll be going to once I shut her door. Whatever it takes :)

The Beach

A digi layout of our trip to San Diego earlier this month. Boy, both kids just loved the beach, and could've stayed all day. Stew and I on the other hand, think sand is evil :)

template: paislee press press plate no. 26
paper: ehstudios greystreet paper2
embellishment: nina celebrations heart2

R is for Rabbit

We play a lot of the 'Letter Game' around here - where one person picks a letter, and everyone takes turns saying a word that begins with that letter. It's great for passing time during a car ride or waiting for food at a restaurant, and I find it especially great for diffusing a meltdown or other sticky situation. Lauren comes up with all kinds of words we had no idea she knew - and for some reason is particularly good at the letter 'Y'. Cole just chimes in with whatever word is on his mind (usually 'garbage truck'), and occasionally gets a match with the chosen letter :)

Ziti and Summer Veggies

Tried this Cooking Light recipe for Baked Ziti and Summer Veggies last week. I love recipes prepared with lots of fresh veggies, and you could sub in your other favorites too (might add some mushrooms next time). I also used whole wheat pasta.


The final product - all cheesy and bubbly. I pulled out some of the pasta mixture prior to adding the egg/cheese, and baked it with some panko crumbs on top for Cole. Of course he only ate the pasta, not the veggies. Still working on that.....

Growin' Up

JCPenney portraits taken back in July. (We've been doing these once a year, since they're so inexpensive when you apply those coupons that seem to pop up everywhere.) Lauren's still got a whole head-length over Cole, but I'm sure he'll catch up in no time :)

Whole Grains

My favorite snack of the moment - and the kids are crazy about it too. Pretty healthy, although I do add a wee bit of butter and salt....

Downtime

Vacation was jam-packed with lots of outings and activities, but we had a few moments like this in order to allow the adults to prepare for the day :)

Sticky Fingers

There's nothing like your first s'more.....


The oozing marshmallow was so intriguing.


But oh, so good.

Accessorize

Once again, Lauren seems to be making more progress on craft projects than me... She made this cool button bracelet at school the other week.

Cookies with a Twist

Made these last weekend, using my favorite oatmeal cookie recipe, but with a few substitutions. In place of butter used earth balance, in place of the egg used 1 T flax seed meal + 3 T water (to make them Cole-friendly), and in place of raisins made half a batch with chocolate chips (Ghiradelli semi-sweet, which are dairy-free) and the other half with butterscotch chips. So yummy.

Hoop Girl

Lauren shocked us at the community 4th of July celebration with her hidden talent :) She won the contest for her age group (1st grade and under), then wanted to continue on with the big kids. She hadn't tried the 'turn' move yet, but has been practicing in the gym at school ever since. She informed us at dinner tonight she can now hula hoop while hopping on one foot, and also while walking on her knees. Where does she learn this stuff??? :)

Quiet Time

After a very loud car ride home after an outing with the kids on Sat, we announced there would be 30 min of quiet time when we got home. I intended to have them spend the time in their rooms, doing something pseudo-intellectual (like a puzzle or reading).


Well, Cole settled in the family room, and played with Thomas (whining only periodically, when his multi-car train fell off the track rounding a bend).


And after a considerable amount of crying and protesting, Lauren became very quiet, and I found her in her room, fully accessorized.

Stew and I spent our quiet time preparing dinner. And believe it or not, the 30 min extended to a full 50 min or so. It was magnificent; we will attempt to implement quiet time every weekend.

The Chatwal

On our recent vacation back east, we made a quick trip up to NYC to visit with friends (a special thanks to Grandma & Grandpa for watching the kids!). We wanted to use our Starwood Points and decided to stay at The Chatwal, which opened last year and recently joined the Starwood Hotel Collection. We had a great stay.


The hotel was in a great central location, in the Times Square area on 44th between 5th/6th.


The hotel was designed in a cool 1930's deco style, but with lots of technology and modern features.


They even loaned out iPads (or a laptop if you prefered). Although you had to sign a substantial waiver!


They provided some low-tech in-room entertainment as well, if that is more your thing :)

Waste Not

We went to Yollipop yesterday - free frozen yogurt for all dads for Father's Day! Cole was not about to let one drop of his go to waste. They also had a new refreshing citrus flavor called 'summer'. I was tempted to get an additional taster cup even after I'd finished :)

Project Garden: Day 71

The harvest - radishes! They were about the only thing that survived, although we still have some hope for the tomatoes. Lesson learned: plant earlier next year....

Frappe Happy

Safeway's Starbucks had $2 grande frappuccinos this past weekend... Yum.

Because I'm Four

Lauren truly believes that since turning 4 this week, she has magically developed several new skills and abilities. So sweet, and so innocent, it just melts your heart :)


"Mommy, today [at school], the chalk was up high on that thing, and I was 4, and I was able to reach it!"


"Look they fit! Because I'm 4!", as she tried on her new sandals, a birthday present from Grandma.


And, she has been very eager to climb the rock-wall at the YMCA, where the minimum age requirement is 4. Today she got to climb it. She had a lot of fun, and made it about halfway up. Later, I said that with a little practice she could make it all the way to the top. She says "Yeah, maybe when I'm 5."

The Birthday Interview

Last year, we asked Lauren a series questions on her birthday - and videoed it too! We did the same this year. Here are her answers, and last year's too, for comparison :)

The Honest Truth

Lauren to Cole: "Cole, you're making me crazy! I don't want to be telling you so many times. You're turning two, and you shouldn't be picking your nose. Because that's respectful."

Party Time

Operation Cupcake complete, it's party time!

Free Sweet Treat

This year's 'birthday' freebie, courtesy of Sephora's Beauty Insider club - I think this is my favorite one yet.

Project Garden: Day 28

The peas and beans are in the lead. The cucumbers are sprouting second leaves. The radishes look pretty hearty.  The tomato prospects are a little questionable, due in part to Cole's agressive watering methods....

Easter Fun

Started off our Saturday watching an Easter parade in Ahwatukee, and later an egg hunt at the local park.


Had time for a quick pizza dinner, then colored some eggs.


Cole picked blue.


On Sunday, a nice Easter brunch, after checking out what the Easter Bunny left.


Then headed outside to play with the new toys - where to begin?


Bubbles, always a hit.


And finally, having fun playing 'hide the eggs'.  Each time, after Lauren hid the two eggs and Cole would find them (after some help from Lauren), he would hide them in exactly the same spot Lauren had just hidden them (and would get mad if you suggested otherwise).